MA Sport
'I will stick to my traditional bitters' – rugby pundit Stuart Barnes talks pubs
“I can't stand pubs where you get three people queuing at a tiny space at the bar for a pint because there's no room available. A big bar space, a friendly landlord and, most importantly, an outstanding pint of beer are what are most important in the pub for me,” he says.
When drinking in the pub, it has always been that outstanding pint of beer that draws Barnes: “I have always been a bitter drinker," he says.
Barnes on England’s three main autumn opponents
South Africa - “They have bullied England for 10 years now, but England will go out there and be determined to stand up and take them on at their own game. They are big and powerful, but there for the taking.”
Argentina - “If they turn up, get their best team out and play their best rugby, they could give England a real scare.”
Australia - “Wouldn't it be typical of Australia, having lost 3-0 to England Down Under, to come to Twickenham in the last game of the year and end the winning run? They have improved considerably since their 3-0 reverse and will be dangerous.”
As a legend from Bath Rugby’s golden era of the early 1990s, there is no surprise that Bath Ales Gem accompanies Timothy Taylor Landlord as Barnes’ ideal choices of beer. “Having been in the US where they're obsessed with pale ale and melon or honey-flavoured beer, I will stick to my traditional bitters,” he adds.
Aussie drinkers
England play South Africa and Australia in their upcoming internationals and Barnes is sure that the calibre of opposition will drive customers into the pub for matches. “Wherever you are, there are South Africans and Australians and, to my knowledge, South Africans and Australians like a drink,” he says.
Since a disastrous home World Cup last autumn, England are unbeaten, and Barnes expects their impressive form to continue over the next four weeks against South Africa, Argentina, Fiji and Australia. “I think England have the strength in depth and self-belief to go on and win all of their games this autumn.
“Just as important as getting a win though will be the quality of their performance because what manager, Eddie Jones, is trying to do on the one hand is win the next game, but on the other hand is look forward. Jones himself is very quick to say that the results are great, but the quality of performance is not. How England play will be something that all England fans need to look at in the next month."
Dynamic and quick
What type of performance can England fans expect in the coming matches? Barnes thinks England will be “very dynamic, very quick, but also quite narrow around the rucks and mauls”.
There has been southern hemisphere dominance ever since rugby went professional in 1995, but there is growing belief among the likes of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland that they can give their opponents a run for their money this autumn.
The internationals conclude on the first weekend of December when England play Australia, and Barnes thinks this will be one of the closest matches and the stand-out game to enjoy in the pub. “It doesn’t matter what sport it is in. England v Australia is one that we want to win and it’s one that they want to win. It will be a fitting end to England's year,” he says.
- England's autumn internationals are being shown on Sky Sports
